A client presents with severe inflammation of the knee. The physician prescribes a corticosteroid and asks the client to return to the office in 10 days for follow-up. How does the nurse explain these instructions?

Question

1. "We need to check to see if this is the correct treatment."
2. "We need to re-examine the knee after a few days of treatment."
3. "Corticosteroids should only be taken for 1 to 3 weeks."
4. "You may be able to change to an NSAID at that visit."
5. "You may need a 3-month prescription for a stronger corticosteroid at that time."

Answer 1

2,3,4
Rationale 1: There is no evidence that treatment is not correct.
Rationale 2: It is necessary to see if the treatment is working.
Rationale 3: Corticosteroid therapy can have serious adverse effects if taken for extended periods of time.
Rationale 4: The client should be switched to an NSAID as quickly as possible.
Rationale 5: Corticosteroid therapy should be discontinued after 1–3 weeks.
Global Rationale: It is necessary to see if the treatment is working. Corticosteroid therapy can have serious adverse effects if taken for extended periods of time. The client should be switched to an NSAID as quickly as possible. There is no evidence that treatment is not correct. Corticosteroid therapy should be discontinued after 1–3 weeks.